Today while returning from Friday prayers, it was an old man, apparently, who came to pick me up (Uber cab). Bald hairs. Appeared White in complexion. Would have taken him to be local American.
His name was Gagik. I waited for him at the other entrance. He was bit irritated it seems when I called him up. I guessed he must be at the other side of building and went and met him.
Said hello. Exchanged pleasantries.
Then he asks me “what nationality “ in accent not American. I guessed, he too must be immigrant.
“Indian.”
“Are you a moozzlim?”
I was bit apprehensive.
I said yes.
“Do they have moozzlims in India ? Or how is it pronounced moozzlim or mazzlim?”
“It’s Muslim. We have quite a small percentage of Muslims in India. “
I asked how about you?
“I am an Armenian. Do you know Armenia ”
“Yes. Somewhere in Turkey?”
“Yes. Yes” smiling.
I asked how long have you been here.
“29 years !”
“Quite a long time.”
“Yes it is.”
Out of blue he asked do you eat meat ?
“Prefer veggies but can eat meat.”
“So you can eat meat! I love meat. Goat meat is my favourite. “
“So what cuisines do you have in Armenia ? Which is most popular dish?”
And wait ... you will be surprised.
He said PANEER!
**had to google and feel bad that paneer is not native Indian thing. Sigh! It has its roots in Turkey/Armenia. And they too call it paneer**